What to do in the kitchen apron: a review of materials, modern ideas. Glass apron for the kitchen

Many will agree that the most popular place in any home is the kitchen. Here the whole family gathers for dinner or just have tea. Of course, I want this room to be cozy and comfortable. The kitchen should not only be beautiful, but also functional. A very important part of the interior is a kitchen apron, it greatly contributes to creating the mood of the whole room. What to do in the kitchen apron, so that it was practical, modern and stylish, we will consider further. And also learn what modern ideas exist and what materials they use for this.

What should be the kitchen apron?

First a few words about what a kitchen apron is.

A kitchen apron is a part of the wall between the working surface of the countertop and the hanging kitchen cupboards. Typically, this area captures the wall, which is located next to the stove, sink and desk.

What are the requirements for a modern apron for the kitchen:

• Easy to wash. Hence, the material of the apron should not be a "sponge" for dirt, but should be easily cleaned.
• Be resistant to moisture. Since this zone is always exposed to water and steam, high humidity.
• Be resistant to temperature changes. Since water can be not only cold, but also hot, like dishes. We remember that the hot plate has an influence on the apron.
• The apron should be made of hygienic materials , in order to avoid the multiplication of bacteria.
• Durable and resistant to mechanical damage.
• Beautiful and original. Should be in harmony with the overall interior of the kitchen.

What to do in the kitchen apron, so that it meets these requirements, consider next.

What materials are used for the kitchen apron

At present, a very large number of finishing materials, let's name those that are used to decorate the kitchen apron:

• Fake diamond.
• Tile.
• Mosaic.
• Plastic panels.
• Mirror surface.
• Glass.

Modern ideas of a kitchen apron

Let's list some original ideas of an apron for a kitchen:

• Tiles are used for marble or granite, large sizes, and laid seamlessly. The worktop is also marbled.
• Contrast solutions. Choose several types and contrasting colors of tiles. Suitable for such styles as hi-tech, country, ekostyle.
• Pattern in the form of an ornament. Use individual elements of the apron, decorative border, vertical and horizontal stripes. A combination of white tiles with a pattern on the tile.
• Use of metal mosaic.
• The original combination: a mosaic and white tile on an apron. The kitchen will attract attention with bright tiles or drawings, and this solution will dilute the white monotony of this room.
• Combination of smooth tiles with mirror.
• Drawing of three-dimensional images on a tile.
• Frosted glass in combination with retrostyle.
• Mirror surface as one sheet, and cut into rectangles, bricks or geometric shapes.

Next, consider the wall aprons for the kitchen using modern materials.

Kitchen apron from ceramic tile

Very often use a kind of finish, like tiles. In the kitchen an apron made of such material is considered very practical and hygienic. Currently, there is simply a huge selection of tiles, from cheap and budgetary versions to expensive Italian tiles from leading foreign manufacturers.

Let's note the positive aspects of such finishing:

• Easy to clean, practical material, allows the use of any cleaning products.
• Resistant to moisture.
• Lasting.
• Heat-resistant.
• Does not absorb fat, it is resistant to any alkaline and acidic solutions.
• A wide range of tiles allows you to make a choice in favor of any interior.
• Tiles can be of different shapes, sizes, different textures, with a pattern or not.

What are the disadvantages in using tiles:

• It is difficult to lay, if there is no skill, it is better to contact the master. Laborious and dirty work. Additional waste for mortar or glue.
• When changing tiles, it takes a lot of time and effort to chop it. This is extra time and money.

If this method does not suit you, and you have not decided yet, what to do in the kitchen apron, consider the option of tile-mosaic.

Mosaic tiles

If you want an original and unique design, you will be perfect tile-mosaic for the kitchen on the apron. The advantages of this finish are similar to the advantages of ceramic tiles, since it is made of one material, but there are still some special features:

• You can upload not only a variety of drawings, but also a photo.
• It is easy to achieve a harmonious combination with the interior, furniture items.
• It is resistant to changes in temperature, moisture and mechanical damage.
• It practically does not show splashes of water, fat.

The drawbacks are that the installation of an apron in the kitchen from tile mosaic will take a long time. This is a very time-consuming and time consuming process, requiring large investments, the availability of skills.

Mosaic, as a rule, involves the use of several colors, often - more than three, but not for any design of the room is acceptable.

You can use any detergent to wash this surface, since the mosaic can be:

• Ceramic.
• Glass.
• Smaltovaya.
• Mirror.
• Metal.

Only the mosaic with the applied on top of the pattern and the mirror image should not be washed with abrasive substances.

Smaltovaja mosaic possesses surprising properties, radiating a mysterious light, thus has property to change the shade depending on illumination that gives to a premise originality. Tile mosaic for the kitchen on the apron of the smaller elements looks more eccentric than the elements larger. If you want to lay out a mosaic of pieces of different sizes, it is better to invite a specialist.

Consider another type of popular material for the kitchen apron - plastic.

Kitchen apron PVC

A plastic apron in the kitchen is chosen by those for whom practicality and relatively low repair costs are important.

Plastic can be used not only for the kitchen apron, but also for walls, ceiling.

PVC panels are made of solid polyvinyl chloride by extrusion. Ethylene, chlorine and hydrogen are involved in the chemical process. The material is considered environmentally friendly and safe. The composition contains stabilizers, which extend the life of the plastic.

There are such types of PVC panels:

• Wall sheets with a width of 15 cm and a length of 2.6 m.
• Lining of PVC. Plastic strip width of 10 cm. Can be made for imitating natural materials or patterns.
• Glossy or matte panels from 80 cm in width and length up to 405 cm. It is convenient to apply a pattern to such areas, when stitching, seams are practically not visible.

Pros and Cons of Plastic

The PVC apron for the kitchen has the following positive aspects:

• Easy to install. Walls do not require special preparation.
• Available for the price.
• Resistant to moisture.
• Simple and easy to clean.
• Large selection of drawings.
• You can also apply the drawing yourself or paste it with a self-adhesive film.

If you decide to make a plastic apron in the kitchen, you need to know its negative side:

• Do not check the material for strength, it is easily pierced with a fork or knife. There is enough point impact to damage the wall.
• Do not install in close proximity to the stove, oven, as at high temperature the material is easily deformed, and when it emits, it emits poisonous substances.
• It is easy to scratch or damage with chemical.

The PVC apron for the kitchen can be fastened in two ways:

• Directly the panels are fixed to the wall.
• A special skeleton is prepared on the wall, to which the kitchen apron is attached.

Consider another option, which is becoming increasingly popular. This is a mirror surface.

Kitchen apron with a mirror surface

Mirror tiles significantly expand the space of the kitchen and promote uniform lighting. At the same time, it requires high-quality laying, and before that, a wall must be prepared carefully, since the slightest irregularities or cracks will entail damage to the mirror cloth.

What are the advantages of a mirror apron:

• Perfectly reflects the light.
• It is heat-resistant and water-resistant.
• When using detergent is easy to clean. Resistant to any kind of household chemicals.
• The material is environmentally friendly and safe. It does not allow to reproduce fungi and mold.
• Durable and reliable.
• Sufficiently long service life.
• Originality of decoration.

If you chose a mirror version, when you decided what to make an apron in the kitchen, you need to know the negative side of such a finish:

• High cost compared to other materials.
• Complexity in packing, requires painstakingness and skill.
• The laboriousness in cleaning the surface requires daily maintenance. Do not use abrasives.
• The material, if not salty, is very fragile and sensitive to shock and mechanical damage.

Choosing a mirror apron for the kitchen, you need to consider its size, the number of windows, placement of the interior.

The mirror apron may consist of:

• Of mirror panels. It can be one large panel. It allows you to create a feeling of large space, while there should not be unnecessary things, objects that will create a kind of disorder.
• From a mirror tile in the form of a brick or tile, but with this option, dirt accumulates on the joints. Finish can be matte with a geometric pattern or in the form of broken glass.
• From a mirror mosaic. Very original looks mosaic of pieces of different sizes and shapes.

The mirror surface can be used for styles such as techno, loft and modern.

Glass apron for the kitchen

One of the innovations in modern design is the glass apron in the kitchen.

It should be noted that the glass should be heat resistant or triplex, at a thickness of not less than 6-8 mm.

Drawing on the glass can be done in the following ways:

• Photo printing . The picture is fixed with UV-irradiation. This image can not be changed, it is quite durable.
• Glue the glass with a vinyl film with the image you like. This option is short-lived, since the film can peel off. It is easy to remove and paste another picture.
• You can use the wallpaper. O do not stick directly to the glass. The disadvantage is that after attaching the glass between the wall and the apron there is a space where moisture can penetrate, which will spoil the aesthetic appearance, but the wallpaper can easily be changed to new ones.
• Painted plain glass - stemalite. Glass after special paint application passes special heat treatment. The image is reliable and durable.
• Also, the glass can be transparent or matte . On such a glass, you can apply any pattern sandblasted or use silkscreen. The surface can be made satin, textured.

Such design has its advantages:

• It is environmentally friendly and safe material.
• With careful attitude will last long.
• The glass apron is the most hygienic.
• It's easy and easy to care for.
• Does not lose its qualities and is not deformed under the influence of acids, salts, food colors, fats, oils.
• Resistant to high temperatures and moisture, which allows you to place it near a plate or sink.
• It is easily mounted and dismantled.
• A large number of diverse solutions.

Glass apron for the kitchen has its drawbacks:

• Although it is easy to clean, it will have to be washed much more often to maintain a neat appearance.
• With improper care and negligent use, the glass can easily be scratched.
• Not for every style fit apron of such material.
• High price.

It is very important to properly fix the apron.

Glass Apron Attachment and Care

If we talk about the apron of glass, then for fastening use the following options:

• With the use of fasteners.
• With the use of adhesives.

Mount the glass on a prepared smooth wall, otherwise it may crack. Experts do not recommend mounting the canvas more than 2.5 meters, in this case, the installation process is much more difficult. You can use a few smaller cloths, the joints will be almost invisible.

You can also make the glass apron highlight, and the kitchen will noticeably change.

To look after such an apron is not at all difficult:

1. First, wipe it with a dry and soft cloth from dust.
2. Then we apply the means for washing glasses and wipe first clockwise, then counterclockwise.
3. In the end, it is necessary to wipe the glass dry. First, wipe it vertically and then horizontally.

If the glass is wiped regularly and comply with all the rules of operation, such a kitchen apron will last a very long time and will always attract the attention of guests and please the household.

Install the sockets on the apron

Of course, the kitchen should have the necessary number of outlets. And on the kitchen apron can not do without them. Here are a few recommendations for installing them in the kitchen:

• Do not install the outlet over a stove or sink.
• Sockets on the apron kitchen are installed in 1-1.5 meters from the floor.
• It is recommended to install the outlets deep or with special plastic protective caps.
• Before the installation of the apron, holes are cut in the wall under the sockets and wiring is made.
• If the glass apron, then the manufacturer must make an apron according to the proposed scheme with the indicated holes for the outputs.
• When placing the sockets on the apron, it is recommended to do this at the edges of the working area.
• Above the tabletop, the installation of the outputs is allowed at a level of 10-30 cm.

When choosing which material to make a kitchen apron, it is necessary to take into account that it must correspond to the following simple parameters:

• Resist the exposure to moisture.
• Easy to care.
• Withstand high temperatures.
• Have an attractive and aesthetic appearance.

When choosing it is necessary to pay attention to the color, texture, whether the material is suitable for the general interior of the room. And, of course, all the materials for finishing should be purchased from trusted and reliable manufacturers. You can examine customer reviews before that. If you take into account these simple recommendations, then after the repair the kitchen will shine with a new light.